White Rabbit Technology

What is the White Rabbit technology ?

It is an extension of Ethernet. It provides sub-nanosecond synchronization over 1G Ethernet networks with timing and data transfers among its different elements.

The solution is part of the White Rabbit (WR) Project which is lead by CERN and follows an “Open Hardware” strategy.

Time precision

Provides a common clock for physical layer in the entire network, allowing a nanosecond synchronization accuracy and 20 picosecond jitter time.

Distance range

In order to handle the majority of industrial and scientific facilities, the WR network is designed to support distance ranges of 10 km using fiber cables. Nevertheless, there are experiments showing synchronization capabilities over hundred of Kms

Scalability

The WR network is designed to be highly scalable with up to thousands of nodes. It also intents to be as modular as possible and compatible with non-WR devices.

Robustness

It can ensure the robustness of the transmission inside the WR network even if some switches crashed or some frames are corrupted.

Deterministic

Ensures that all the Ethernet frames sent are delivered at least after a fixed delay (controlled latency). The order of the frames should be preserved.

Autocalibration

White Rabbit Protocol provides a dynamic solution to carry on the synchronization over time by adapting its configuration along with the surrounding conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity, fibre bending, etc.).

Standards

Interoperability. The solution is transparent to the user and it is built over open, well known, and standard protocols: Precision Time Protocol (IEEE1588) + Synchronous Ethernet (Sync-E)

Why choosing the White Rabbit Solution?

Other solutions that bring precise timing and high synchronization already exist in the market, but most of them are limited or not standard. We believe that White Rabbit Solution is the best investment for a long term approach:

The WR Switch and the SPEC use FPGAs, therefore their hardware can be easily reprogrammed to be up to date.

As the WR Switch and the SPEC are designed following an “Open Hardware” strategy. The reference designs helps to better understand the technology and you are free to improve or redesign the boards.

The WR protocol was conceived by CERN, one of the best scientific institutions in the domain of research, and it actively collaborates in the design of the OHWR products we manufacture. The implication of CERN consolidates the durability and the quality of the whole solution.

All the elements in the White Rabbit Solution are designed to be as modular as possible in order to reduce the cost of maintenance and upgrade.

It allows a hybrid network: the WR Switch can be used as a normal switch to connect directly your PC in order to be quickly linked in the network. If you do not need the specific features of WR protocol, you do not need to use a specific network card. You can also use only the PTP features of the WR switch if you only need millisecond accuracy.

The WR protocol is open and enhances already existent protocols such as, Precision Time Protocol (IEEE1588) or Synchronous Ethernet (Sync-E). In the case you choose OHWR equipment, you are not stuck with the problems that can bring a proprietary solution (security updates, mislead APIs, poor documentation, closed system, …).

There are also proprietary solutions as Seven Solutions ZEN & LEN with enhanced functionalities and easy to use for non developers allowing to achieve sub ns synchronization in an easy and transparent way.

Application example:

The White Rabbit solution can emulate a distributed instrumentation such as an oscilloscope:

Common clock in the entire network: no skew between ADCs

Ability to sample with different clocks via Distributed DDS

External triggers can be time tagged with a TDC and used to reconstruct the original time base in the Operator’s PC.

What can we offer?

Seven Solution is not JUST a manufacturing company, it also offers consulting and support to deploy the White Rabbit Solution for your facility or target market. We provide white rabbit customization as well as OEM modules for arriving fast at a customized solution for your timing needs.

Our engineers have a long expertise in hardware design, embedded software and technology development. In the framework of a long and strong collaboration with CERN and other partners in the design process of White Rabbit (manufacturing and designing circuits, developing IP-Cores, etc.) we have consolidated knowledge that other companies cannot offer.

We offer full support with all the White Rabbit products we are selling (not included in the price) to help you with their integration or customization regarding your needs providing additional functionalities and software routines as remote monitoring, upgrade, timestamping, health status or support for additional RTOS or control applications.

Basic products for WR

It is the main element of the White Rabbit Technology. It distributes Time and Frequency within a sub-nanosecond accuracy to thousands of nodes via standard optical fiber for distances above 80 km...
The key element of the White Rabbit network...

It is the flexible standalone node that offers the White Rabbit features of the different applications, exploiting its redundant connections for a reliable product in timing applications...
The dependable standalone node...

It easily distributes time and frequency to other equipment by implementing widely available timing protocols as PTP, NTP, 10 MHz / PPS.... Combines ultra stable clocks with low jitter and temperature compensated clock resources to enhance its synchronization accuracy in a cost effective 1U form factor...
The fundamental standalone node...

It is the versatile standalone node that provides the White Rabbit features to a wide range of applications making use of its redundant connections. The WR-ZEN TP-32BNC easily distributes time and frequency to other...
WR-ZEN TP 32 BNC...

It is the solution consisting on a set of WR-LENs that offers synchronization over daisy chain configurations, distribute accurate timing from one node to others...
The set that will ease your first contact with WR...

The FMC DEL is a 4 output channel FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC-VITA standard) that introduces pulses delayed by a user-programmed that introduces pulses delayed by a user-programmed value....
The FMC card designed to produce precise pulse events and delays...

The SPEC is an FMC carrier that can hold one FMC card and an SFP connector. It support 4-lanes PCIe connection. By using different FMCs, you can customize...
Low cost and versatile PCIe carrier compatible with White Rabbit technology...

The KIT SPEC is the smart solution composed by two nodes. Each node uses one SPEC and one FMC-DIO card that operate as input time- stamping or programmable...
Starting kits for developers interested in the White Rabbit solution...

ABOUT US

Seven Solutions S.L. is a private held leading company in accurate sub-nanosecond time transfer and frequency distribution for dependable industrial and scientific applications.